More and more research is validating what we already knew, that laughter is absolutely vital for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.  Laughter can reduce stress, boost immune systems, decrease feelings of sadness and anxiety, and yet, it can be difficult to engage in laughter when one feels as if they are on an uphill climb.

Of the Levity Practices, the practice of laughter is essential and foremost in creating a lighter and more enjoyable perspective. Laughter is a crucial tool for improving  self-care, personal and professional development, and ability to live life with confidence and ease.  With laughter, we experience open doors where before we were sure there were only walls.

“Laughter is an express train to the present moment.” -Katie West, Founder, The Levity Institute

Laughter Yoga is the practice of laughing as exercise in order to boost our physical and mental well-being.   Scientific studies have shown that our bodies are not aware of the difference between real laughter and fake laughter.  So, by “practicing” laughter we gain all the physical, mental,  and emotional health benefits of laughter. While genuine laughter does tend to be the result of simulating laughter, it is not our goal.  Our goal is to bring better health and well-being into our bodies and our lives.
Through a series of laughter exercises,  yogic breathing, and childlike playfulness,  laughter yoga  serves to improve one’s mood, boost the immune system, lower stress, increase confidence and productivity, and offer a new perspective  and approach on one’s life and work experience.
Laughter Yoga approaches wellness from a Body-Mind perspective.   In can be challenging to make changes in our thinking, yet usually we can get our bodies to follow a command.  When we work with the body by increasing oxygen into the brain and bloodstream, practicing laughter to gain the health benefits, and engaging in playful behavior, it begins to have significant physical, emotional and mental health changes.  Rather than waiting for something to be funny.

In Laughter Yoga, we laugh for no reason and consequently, more things are funny to us.
Laughter Yoga was founded in 1995 by Dr. Madan Kataria of Mumbai, India while researching the use of laughter in his medical practice.  His pivotal findings of the body’s inability to decipher between real and simulated laughter along with Annette Goodheart’s work with Laughter Therapy have opened up doors to the possible applications laughter can have in our lives.
This discovery has launched a worldwide movement in over 60 countries. As its popularity is gaining, there is more and more research to support Dr. Kataria’s original findings.  Now, health care professionals are  prescribing 15 minutes of laughter a day for better health!  Laughter Yoga is now being practiced in corporations,  schools, hospitals and local clubs.   Also expanding are the populations it benefits:  business people, children, seniors, cancer patients, and prison inmates.

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of possibilities.” J. Houston

Laughter is a powerful tool that can open us up to feeling freedom, possibility, and openness in our experience.  From here, we have a better perspective on our lives and can begin taking active steps towards the lives we truly desire.
In addition to the health benefits of boosting to your immune system, lowering stress levels,  lowering  blood pressure, and diminishing feelings of depression and anxiety, our classes leave you feeling AMAZING! You will   become aware of new muscles, connect with others, and feel a great connection to the present moment.  Our  workshops empower participants to explore focused areas of their lives with vitality, imagination, intuition, and freedom.